Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for any gathering. Bursting with fresh vegetables and coated in a tangy dressing, this salad is easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Add rotini and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped veggies and olives.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss gently.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. For added crunch, consider including artichokes or pepperoni slices. Make ahead of time for deeper flavor development.